Is this another type of hellebore?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Snorky85, Feb 3, 2017.

  1. Snorky85

    Snorky85 Total Gardener

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    and why are the leaves black?!?
    Confused!

    IMG_6650.JPG
    IMG_6651.JPG
     
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      Snorky85, Feb 3, 2017
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    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      I'm only veg and wildflowers department but i'd have a stab at this :)
       
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        Phil A, Feb 3, 2017
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      • Kandy

        Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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        Hi @Snorky85 it looks to me like your hellebore leaves are dying back naturally as they tend to be present in some of the varieties for months before starting to die back so it might not be anything to worry about:smile:

        I and a lot of people tend to cut the leaves off when they are in flower,cutting back the leaves where the bottom of the leaves join the main stem of the actual plant.If you do this then the flowers can be shown off so much better:smile:

        Yours could be one of the Hartington Hybrids of which there are many or like Zigs says they could be Niger which should be white in flower,although your flowers look like they might be a bit larger if they come fully into flower:smile:
         
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          Kandy, Feb 3, 2017
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        • Palustris

          Palustris Total Gardener

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          Yes, one of the other species. H. argutifolius maybe or even H. foetidus. Does not look too healthy though.
           
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            Palustris, Feb 3, 2017
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          • Silver surfer

            Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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            With a tiny red tip to the green, bell shaped flowers it is Helleborus foetidus....common name stinking hellebore.

            Helleborus foetidus - Stinking Hellebore (Ranunculaceae Images)

            https://a6adc47bb216dfe8a383-49bf67...ucts2/pl/00/00/00/29/pl0000002909_card_lg.jpg

            http://warehouse1.indicia.org.uk/upload/p18i75024n1ajb160g69n1ooh1gb06.jpg

            Leaves should be healthy,glossy and green and shouldn't be brown.

            Caulescent (Upright-Stalked) Helleborus Species

            Unlike Helleborus x hybridus I didn't cut the old leaves off ...they are so beautiful...(normally)

            http://www.aphotoflora.com/images/r...foetidus_stinking_hellebore_leaf_15-09-04.jpg

            I would recommend you cut black horrid leaves off and burn them.
            Do not compost.
             
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              Silver surfer, Feb 3, 2017
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            • Silver surfer

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                Silver surfer, Feb 3, 2017
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              • Snorky85

                Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                Oh no that sounds awful!!arrrrgh!!!!
                 
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                  Snorky85, Feb 3, 2017
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                • Snorky85

                  Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                  I'll cut all the black stuff out and burn it along with my rose prunings. The flower stems look bright and healthy....will try be optimistic and see what happens.
                   
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                    Snorky85, Feb 3, 2017
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                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    Yes, it's Helleborus foetidus.

                    The old leaves go black at this time of year and need cutting off. They're not diseased but at the end of their life but it's still best to burn them or put them in the green waste. New leaves will come along pretty quickly.

                    We have hundreds of them around the garden and if we don't cut off the old leaves in early Autumn then most of them will turn black after a few frosts. Funnily enough, the new leaves on the ones that were cut back don't get affected by the frosts. They tend to flower for a very long season.

                    P1270984.JPG

                    P1270986.JPG
                     
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                      shiney, Feb 3, 2017
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                    • Snorky85

                      Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                      @shiney wow they look beautiful. Glad the black leaves are normal. Was going to go out and sort them out but it's just started pouring down
                       
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                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        Yes, it's best to remove the mas soon as possible as dead and dying leaves can harbour nasties. Dead leaves on the beds are the ideal situation for slugs.

                        These Hellebores are quite prolific so you need to keep an eye on them. If you find that the large ones are too big for their site then, over the years, you can replace them completely with the young ones that will pop up. I find them a particular nuisance when they migrate to the edge of the beds because they get in the way of mowing. On one Open Day one of the GC members was quite happy to remove a few dozen around the edges of the lawns and give them a good home. :)
                         
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                        • Palustris

                          Palustris Total Gardener

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                          Take care when dealing with them. I find that the smell from the leaves is very difficult to remove from hands.
                           
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                            Palustris, Feb 3, 2017
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                          • shiney

                            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                            The implication, because of the name, seems to make this very likely. :dbgrtmb:

                            I've never had the problem because I always wear gloves in the garden and they're washed immediately I come in. I have lots of cotton gardening gloves that I use for most things, except when tough gloves are required.
                             
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                            • Snorky85

                              Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                              Just been out in the glorious sunshine and got them sorted the best I can. Noticed a couple of dots on the flowers but hope its nothing serious.

                              image.jpeg image.jpeg
                              image.jpeg

                              Didnt see the post about smelly hands!!! Went in bare handed. Got a really bad cold and can only seem to smell something resembling coffee!
                               
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                                Snorky85, Feb 4, 2017
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                              • shiney

                                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                                Don't know what the spots on the flowers are but I can see the new leaves coming. :dbgrtmb:
                                 
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                                  shiney, Feb 4, 2017
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